Mitsubishi A7M1 Reppu "Sam" Experimental Fighter

The Reppu, the final masterpiece of Jiro Horikoshi and the Mitsubishi engineering team, was developed to meet the requirements of the M-50—an internal Mitsubishi specification for the development of the Zero's successor.
In July 1942, the Imperial Navy adopted these requirements as Specification 17-Shi.
The aircraft was to achieve a speed of 640 km/h at an altitude of 6,000 m, reach that altitude in 6 minutes, maintain a speed of 463 km/h for 2.5 hours, and exhibit the maneuverability of the A6M3.
Horikoshi's original design called for the use of the 18-cylinder version of the Kinsei engine, producing 2,200 hp. Due to delays in the engine's development, the Navy insisted on the installation of the NK9 engine and subsequent testing. Tests conducted by fighter pilots confirmed that the Reppu's maneuverability was on par with the A6M5 and surpassed that of the A6M3.
However, the aircraft suffered from a lack of power, and its climb to 6,000 m took 9 minutes and 54 seconds.
At 6,450 m, the engine produced 1,300 hp, whereas the engineering team had expected 1,700 hp to meet the speed requirements of the 17-Shi class.
For this reason, the Imperial Japanese Navy did not prioritize further work on the Reppu.
However, the Mitsubishi team was convinced that their aircraft, powered by the MK9 engine, would meet all the requirements of the 17-Shi class, and thus the A7M2 was developed.

Plastic model kit

Scale 1:48

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included